Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? Memorial Day weekend is often thought of as the unofficial start to the summer season, and for many people here in the Midwest and around the country, that means it's time to fire up the grill or smoker and start cooking up something tasty.  Barbecue is one of America's favorite foods. While you'll find regional variations around the country, it's a hit just about everywhere. In fact, Americans collectively spend more than $1.36 billion on barbecue and grill products in a given year. 75 percent of Americans own an outdoor grill or smoker, and 60 percent of grill owners say that they get their BBQ on year round. A long-time presidential favorite with international roots, barbecue has a rich and storied history — one that keeps growing and becoming more special year after year, generation after generation.  Whether you like it smoky or sweet, meaty or plant-based, ordered from a restaurant or home cooked, there are lots of ways to celebrate all things barbecue in Chicagoland. Here are just a few time-honored ways to celebrate National Barbecue Month in Illinois:

As we hunker down for a winter at home, plenty of people will be firing up their stoves — or opening up their laptops to order takeout. This made us hungry to find out the history of some of Chicagoland's favorite foods.  From the city to the suburbs, Chicagoland is known as a foodie paradise, with stellar restaurants and countless delivery options. The Chicago area's food scene is rich and diverse, with traditions and dishes that change on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. Looking back, the Chicago area has long been a major center for food processing and manufacturing, and some of the most iconic snacks in the world got their start right here — from Twinkies to Wrigley's chewing gum. But have you ever wondered how some of Chicago's most beloved classics really came to be? Let's explore the hidden history behind five of the Chicago area's most famous foods: 

Recently, we took a look at the best foodie neighborhoods in the city of Chicago, and highlighted a number of places to try. But with the abundance of livable suburban towns and insatiable appetites everywhere, it's no wonder that there is tremendous food to be found all across Chicagoland. This makes it somewhat impossible to narrow down the best choices for brief review, as even the towns featured here offer more than we can mention. But let's attempt to do so anyway, at least as an "appetizer" to finding the best eats in suburban Chicago.